Mechanism for opening the base of lamp-chimneys



J; ADAMS. V Mechanism for Opening. the Base of Lamp Chimneys.

Nu. 232,625. Patented Sept. 28 I880.

i n 10 cm WKMMM N. FETERS. PHOTO L moan "UNiTED f STATES PATENT OFFICE. Y

JOSEPH ADAMs, OF LOWER sir. OLAIE TOw sHIr, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, ASSIGNOR To DAVID EvANs, DAVID GHALLINOR, AND JOHN LOWEE A L OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

MECHANlSM FOR OPENING THE BASE OF LAMP-CHIMNEYS.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 232,625, dated September 28, 1880.

Application filed August 2, 1878.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOSEPH ADAMS, ofLower St. Clair Township, county of Allegheny, State of Pennsylvania, have invented or discovered a new and useful Improvement in Method and Mechanism for Opening the Base of Lamp-Chimneys and other Hollow Articles of Glassware and I do hereby declare the fol- Fig. 3 is a detached sectional view of a portion of the operative devices of Fig. 1.

My improvement is particularly designed for opening out and finishing the inside of bases of lam p-chimneys, though it will be within my invention to use the same mechanism for opening and finishing either or both the ends of other tubular articles made of glass.

The partly-formed chimney on which I especially design to employ my invention is such as is shown and described in patent to D. Ohallinor, of January 8, 1878; but I do not limit myself in this regard, but claim it for the use or uses designated, without regard to the manner of making the chimney or to its shape, provided only that it have an open end large enough for the insertion of the pointsof the opening-blades.

On any suitable frame-work A, I mount the plnmmer-blocks B, which carry a hollow shaft, D, which latter may be rotated by any convenient mechanism, as by a belt running on the wheel D. To lugs d on the forward end of the shaft I pivot apair of opening-blades, d, and the projecting end of the shaft is preferably slotted, as shown in Fig. 3, so that the pointed forward ends of the blades d may be brought together, as in Fig. 1. Inside the shaft Iarrange a longitudinally-moving stem,

a, and the forward end of such stem is connected with the blades 02 by means of links a, in such manner that the forward movement of the stem will cause the blades to open, and a reverse movement will close them. Such forward movement of the stem may be eifected by a hand-lever, b, or a foot-lever, b, from which, at the operators stand, a connectingrod, b extends to a lever, g, fulcrumed to a post, g, in such manner that its upper end shall engage thestem a and thrust it forward.

An adjustable collar, 0, is arranged on the stem, by which to limit the range of forward motion, but other suitable stop may be substituted therefor.

Areverse motion may be secured bya spring, 6, bearing at one end against a shoulder, e, in the hollow of the shaft, and at its other end against a pin, 6

A rack-rest, h, is provided, onfwhich to rest the snap while presenting the article to the action of the blades d.

The shape of the exterior edges or surfaces of the'blades d is such as to effect the shaping desired. For the particular use designated, they are preferably made tapering for a short distance back from their points, so as to operate somewhat like a wedge or cone in opening out the end of the glass article, and from that point for a little distance they have the shape which it is desired to give to the inside of the glass article. In their use with the bases of lamp-chimneys such parts should be straight, or nearly so.

In operation the article is caught in'a snap, and the opening in its base is presented to the united points of the blades cl, the latter being caused to rotate with some rapidity. As the points of such blades enter such opening the article is fed forward and the blades d are scribed may be given to the shaft instead of to the stem. Other connections between stem and blades may be substituted for that described, provided only substantially the same motions be preserved.

The number of the blades may be increased at pleasure, and other modes of pivoting their base ends may be employed, such as a bow or U spring, extending from one to the other. Also, under the term blades, as herein used, I include, generally, such shaping-tools as may be substituted for the blades and perform a like function. v

I claim herein as my invention 1. In a machine for opening or finishing, or for opening and finishing, the interior faces of tubular articles, the combination of two or more blades pivoted at their inner ends, and free to open toward and from each other at their outer ends, and mechanism for effecting the rotation of the blades, as also their motion toward and from each other, substantially as set forth.

2. Two or more mechanically-driven blades, (1 01, having exterior working-faces adapted to open and finish the open ends of tubular glass articles, connected, at their inner ends, by a pivot or equivalent joint, to the shaft, through which their rotation is effected, and at their forward ends shifted toward or from each other by a mechanical connection which is within reach of the hand or foot'of the operator, substantially as set forth.

3. The blades 01 d, in combination ith shaft and stem, one of which rotates and the other moves longitudinally when in operation, and in further combination with a stop to limit the range of outward movement of the blades, substantially as set forth. I

4. The method herein described of opening and shaping glassware, consisting in press: in g it over or upon an expansible or expanding former Without external pressure, either the article or former, or both, being rotated, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

JOSEPH ADAMS.

Witnesses:

JAMEs H. PoR'rE, OLAUDIUS L PARKER. 

